Authorities searching for deported criminal in Ohio

Immigration officials are seeking a Panamanian national and Far West Side resident who returned to the United States after being deported.

Immigration officials are seeking a Panamanian national and Far West Side resident who returned to the United States after being deported.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement office is searching for Daniel Arturo Batista, 32, who is wanted on federal charges of re-entering the United States after being deported for felony charges of identity theft and document fraud.

On Thursday, immigration officials attempted to arrest Batista at a home on Thumbleweed Drive, but Batista resisted and fled.

He recently was employed as a cable-television installer in the Columbus area.

The arrest warrant was issued by the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio.

Batista's criminal history includes arrests for burglary, kidnapping, rape, discharging a weapon, resisting arrest, theft and drugs. He has served time in prison in Georgia for burglary and in Ohio for sex offenses.

He was previously deported to Panama from the United States by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Dec. 29, 2003. He re-entered the country illegally shortly thereafter and has been using the identity of an individual from Puerto Rico, immigration authorities said.

Batista has distinguishing tattoos on both of his arms: a cross with flowers on his right upper arm and a tribal band on his left upper arm.

Anyone with information should call police or the Columbus immigration and customs office at 614-469-5705 during normal business hours, or the Law Enforcement Support Center at 1-866-347-2423 after hours.